When you make a purchase at Organic Bug, know you are using your power as a consumer to affect positive change in the overall environment and social climate.  Organic Bug works with 1% for the Planet to give back to non-profits that share its belief that industry and ecology are inherently connected.

One such organization on the list of affiliated non-profits at 1% for the Planet is AIR: Alliance For International Reforestation. For the past 3 years Organic Bug has chosen AIR as one of its most treasured recipients, pledging a portion of 1% of gross sales to support the programs initiated and maintained by this outstanding non-profit.

From AIR’s Webpage: The Alliance for International Reforestation, Inc. or AIR, is a non-profit organization working to make a difference for the people of Guatemala and Nicaragua. AIR plants trees, establishes tree nurseries, provides environmental education for teachers and farmers, digs wells, builds fuel-efficient brick ovens, and helps to educate everyone about the environmental challenges facing Central America.

AIR was founded in 1992 and is maintained by its Founder & Chair of the Board of Directors, Dr. Anne M. Hallum. Professor Hallum has worked at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida since 1987 and teaches in the Department of Political Science.

Stetson is just 45 minutes from the Organic Bug office & warehouse and Organic Bug Co-Founder, Peggy English, has enjoyed meeting and corresponding with Dr. Hallum during the course of their ongoing partnership.

Peggy remains impressed with the fact that “at least 93% of all donations to AIR go directly to Guatemala supporting ongoing projects there~addressing the causes of rural hunger & deforestation.  I love that this organization addresses not only the symptoms, but works on solutions through education, planting of tree nurseries & teaching sustainable farming.”

AIR now has close to 300 community tree nurseries & over 1500 farmers have been trained in their own fields to use methods that will increase crop yields without using chemicals. The replanting of trees helps to prevent mudslides & erosion on the eerily deforested slopes that are sadly a part of the Guatemalan landscape.

Although AIR is a small non-profit, it has big goals and is at the top of our list to continue to support in the coming years.

When Patty and Peggy launched Organic Bug; one of their founding principles was to conduct business practices that nurture the delicate “relationship we all have with the Earth, each other and our own inner beings.”  In keeping with that pledge- they are active members of a wonderful organization called  1% For the Planet, whose mission is very much in alignment with their ideals: businesses recognizing that industry and ecology are inherently connected.

Since 2002, 1% for the Planet has inspired members of the business community to contribute 1% of their sales to environmental organizations around the world.  The group works to connect businesses directly with countless non profits to donate on a local or international scale so the funds will go to a greater good.  This movement has led to over 30 million dollars supporting worthy environmental organizations.  Organic Bug has chosen to donate 1% of our sales to Healthy Child Healthy World.

	Based on their own business models, the two men hatch a plan to encourage more businesses to donate 1% of sales to environmental groups. Yvon calls it an “Earth Tax.” Craig calls it 1% for the Planet. They go with Craig’s idea.
	1% FTP holds an official launch event at the Patagonia store in San Francisco, California. Twenty-one businesses, including a winery, a coffee company and a guide service sign up as members. Not bad for the first day.
	A second launch event takes place at the Fly Fishing Retailer show in Denver, Colorado, engaging an industry that understands the connection between business and the environment like few others. Several more members are, um, reeled in.
	Membership grows steadily by word of mouth, primarily on the West Coast of the United States and in outdoor industry circles. Jack Johnson, in conjunction with his music and film companies, Brushfire Records and The Moonshine Conspiracy, becomes the 50th member of 1% FTP.
	Jack releases In Between Dreams, displaying the 1% FTP logo on the back of the CD jacket. Yvon authors the book Let My People Go Surfing, which culminates in the story of 1% FTP. The publicity contributes to the signing up of two to three new member companies per week, closing the year at over 200.
	1% FTP goes prime time as NBC Nightly News features the organization in its Making a Difference series. In partnership with the Charture Institute, the first official 1% FTP local chapter is launched: 1% For The Tetons, in Jackson, Wyoming. The chapter adds 50 members within months.
	To boost consumer involvement, the 1% FTP logo and web site are overhauled, and the first major print campaign is launched. With the total company membership exceeding 700, including more than 100 European businesses, donations approach $30 million USD. More than one new member company joins every day. The 1% FTP staff also grows—to 4, not including the dog.

1% for the Planet promotional video – members mentioned from 1% for the Planet on Vimeo.

This month, I would like for you to meet Nancy Epstein- the artist behind the stunning and socially conscious Ubuntu Jewelry and one of the new brands we have added to the Organic Bug collection to spread the message of unity and compassion. Ubuntu Jewelry embodies the concept of making a social statement through fashion- and speaks to that part in each of us that yearns for acceptance and social change.

We were inspired by Nancy’s story of how she came to create the Ubuntu line.   She enjoyed a highly successful career for over 20 years as a specialty gift designer creating innovative giftware and fine jewelry for some of the worlds biggest retail companies.  However, she felt she had a “greater calling” and made the decision to leave her career behind so she could find ways to use her talents to make a positive change in our society.   From there Ubuntu was created and she has not looked back.

She chose the name Ubuntu because the African Bantu concept of Ubuntu means “no one

Ubuntu Signature Oxidized Sterling Silver Peace Pendant on Rolo Chain

is whole without the other”. The idea of this philosophy, the embodiment of peace and harmony, inspired Nancy to combine symbols in her designs representing oneness and unity of the human spirit.

Taking her design initiative one step further, Nancy donates 10% of sales between two notable organizations. Religions for Peace is the largest international coalition of representatives from the world’s great religions dedicated to promoting peace. 1% For The Planet uses market forces to drive positive environmental change by inspiring companies to donate.

Ubuntu is the essence of being human. Ubuntu Jewelry is the essence of you.

About Ubuntu Jewelry Symbols

Hindu Aum (also spelled Om)~is a sacred sound that mystically embodies the essence the entire universe~the root of everything that exists.

Islam Star and Crescent~not necessarily recognized as a traditional Islam symbol, this symbol is not Muslim in origin. It was a polytheistic icon adopted during the spread of Islam, historically known as  the insignia
of the Ottoman Empire, not of Islam as a whole. Certainly the best known symbol used to represent Islam.

Jewish Star of David~or Shield of David is a relatively new Jewish symbol but is the universally recognized symbol of Jewry.

Christian Cross~the empty cross reminds Christians of the resurrection, a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice.

Female/Male Gender Equality~World bodies have defined gender equality as related to human rights, especially women’s rights, and economic development to level the playing field for girls and women by insuring that all children have equal opportunity to develop.

Taoist Yin Yang~a Chinese representation of two poles of cosmic energy and by their fluctuation they are believed to be the cause of the universe.

Buddhist Lotus Flower~its pattern of growth (rising up far above the muddy waters to bask in the sunlight) signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism through the waters of experience and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.

Find out more about Ubuntu and Nancy on her myspace and facebook pages.